(W) John Ridley (A/CA) Georges Jeanty
It’s been a decade since the Civil Defense Corps was exposed as a fraud created by the U.S. Government for propaganda purposes. While most of the heroes who survived the catastrophe have retired or disappeared, the New American still carries on, trying to keep communities safe amid the social turmoil of the 1970s. But with the nation split in two over civil rights and the changing political landscape, this isn’t easy. Some of the American’s former colleagues are on opposite sides of the law: Amber Waves joined a group of domestic terrorists, while Missy, a.k.a. Ole Miss, has thrown her hat into the political ring. As the ground shifts beneath his feet and new threats arise, which side will the American choose? This sequel to the hit miniseries by the original team of writer John Ridley (Oscar-winning screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave and creator of TV’s American Crime) and artist Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse) moves the story forward in history, factoring in how real-life events might be affected by the presence of superheroes, and how those events change the heroes in turn.

(W) Matt Pizzolo (A/CA) Amancay Nahuelpan
What if a fascist, autocratic President took over the United States? And what if that President lost California, the sixth largest economy on Earth, by nearly 2-to-1…a margin of almost 3 1/2 million votes? What if the day after that President took power, the largest mass demonstration in history occurred, and the state with the largest turnout was California. And then, the following week, two of the largest international airports in the world, California’s LAX and SFO, were blockaded by protesters? What if California refused to be ruled? From the creators of YOUNG TERRORISTS, Matteo Pizzolo (GODKILLER) and Amancay Nahuelpan (CLANDESTINO), comes this tale of resisting oppression, punching Nazis, protecting each other, kicking ass, and demanding liberty for all.

(W) Maurice Tillieux (A/CA) Maurice TillieuxTen Thousand Years in Hell marks a sharp departure from the moody, urban detective style of Fantagraphics’s previous Gil Jordan graphic novel by Tillieux, Murder By High Tide. Instead, the title story is a rollicking prison-escape yarn set in South America. The second story, “Boom and Bust,” features one of Tillieux’s patented spectacular car crashes. Tillieux’s masterful graphics remind the reader why he was considered one of the top Franco-Belgian cartoonists of his time and, indeed, of any time.

(W) Matt Wagner (A/CA) Matt Wagner
MATT WAGNER returns with the third and final volume of his epic fantasy trilogy-MAGE: THE HERO DENIED. This long-awaited conclusion follows the adventures of the reluctant everyman hero Kevin Matchstick, who, after encountering a shaggy and beguiling wizard, discovers he is the reincarnation of the legendary Pendragon and able to wield the power of the mystical weapon, Excalibur. The story picks up several years after the fateful climax of THE HERO DEFINED and finds Kevin beginning to once again doubt the virtue of his actions and the course of his destiny.
This introductory, half-sized issue #0 continues MAGE‘s tradition of an “Interlude” short-adventure, bridging the gap between this series and the previous storyline. It also acts as a perfect jumping-on spot for new readers.

(W) Justin Jordan (A) Raul Trevino (CA) Jilipollo
Written by Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode) and illustrated by Raúl Treviño (,i), Sombra is a gripping exploration of the War on Drugs and the double-edged sword of American intervention, informed by Treviño’s experiences in his Mexican homeland. Conrad Marlowe was a respected DEA agent when he disappeared in Mexico while investigating the ruthless drug cartels. Years later, he has resurfaced as a cult leader who has made it his mission to out-brutalize the cartels terrorizing the country. The only DEA agent willing to follow his trail of violence is his own daughter, Danielle, and with the help of a journalist on the ground, she’ll have to face the horrors of what her father has become if she wants to survive and bring him to justice. Collects the complete limited series.

(W) Greg Pak (A) Luke Ross, German Peralta, Mahmud A. Asrar (CA) Stonehouse
Protectors Assemble! When an intergalactic threat targets the Big Apple, Amadeus Cho joins an alliance of Asian and Asian-American adventurers to save its populace – including Ms. Marvel, Silk and Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu! But who brings them together, and what can they do in the face of a mass alien abduction? Start spreading the news, a bunch of people are leaving today – it’s up to you, Protectors, to save New York, New York! Plus our socially awesome Hulk makes another new pal – basketball superstar Jeremy Lin! But when they double team a classic Marvel villain upgraded for an all-new era, will it be a slam dunk? Or will they suffer a blowout against the robot menace QUASI/MO/DO? This is how to win friends and influence people, Cho style!